24.01.2024
Meeting newsletter of the secretariat of the regional Cooperation Group
Open calls for applications
The open calls for applications for the Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 programme can be found on the website: EURA 2021: Call for applications
Results of funding calls
109 applications for business development grants were submitted by JTF ) between 3 March and 31 December 2023 in Northern Ostrobothnia. In these, the planned EU and state funding amounted to a total of EUR 48,529,600.
The provinces of Northern Finland (North Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Kainuu) have approved the allocation of JTF granting powers to the JTF framework of Northern Finland. The cross-border granting authority totals EUR 1,293 million. €. The Regional Council of Northern Ostrobothnia acts as an intermediate authority. Between 28 August and 31 December 2023, six project applications were received for a grant of EUR 1 352 728.
The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group supports the following projects for funding Sustainable Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027 from the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme
Ruka2030 Naturally the best for business / JTF
Applicant: City of Kuusamo
Execution period: 1 March 2024 – 28 February 2026
Total cost estimate: € 295 200
ERDF and State funding requested: 236 160 €
The sustainable development of the Ruka region requires network-based cooperation between several actors and commitment to local and regional strategies and programmes that take sustainability-related principles into account. The aim of the project is to increase the vitality of the region in a sustainable way. The main objectives of the project are: the operating environment and business opportunities of companies develop in a sustainable manner in the Ruka area, the recognition and attractiveness of the region's business opportunities increase nationally and internationally, and investments in the Ruka area carried out in a sustainable manner increase.
Carbon-wise circular economy / JTF
Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2025
Total cost estimate: €519 699
ERDF and State funding requested: € 415 759
The aim of the project is to increase the utilisation rate of side streams generated in Koillismaa and at the same time improve the region's self-sufficiency. Koillismaa's side streams consist of bio-based materials, but also synthetic materials or their components, such as recycled plastic, glass and construction waste. The goal is that after the project, the development needs related to the bioeconomy and circular economy at the regional and regional level, new bioeconomy and circular economy investments in Northern Finland, smart specialisation and structural change can be better met. New circular economy solutions will reduce the region's carbon emissions and make the use of renewable energy more efficient.
Artificial intelligence for business - AI Lit Koillismaa / ERDF
Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 30.6.2026
Total cost estimate: €196 488
ERDF and State funding requested: €157 190
The aim of the project is to introduce and help companies, municipal employees and municipal residents to use artificial intelligence in their own operations. At its best, artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency of companies' processes and thus bring added value to business. In the project, companies in the region will be able to innovate new services, products and operating models.
Restoration of the Puronneva peat production area into wetlands / JTF
Applicant: Kokkolan Energia Oy
Execution period: 1.9.2023-31.12.2025
Total cost: 141 775 €
Aid requested: 99 243 €
In the plan for the restoration of Puronneva, the terrain measurement data can be used to assess the necessary measures and the watering of their area. In order to balance the hydrogenation, separate zones are created in the area, separated by dam constructions and flow control dams. The peripheral areas of the wetlands are cultivated with reed heath or some other wetland plant. After the implementation of the project measures, the area is measured, a more detailed map of the restored area is produced and a final report is compiled.
Biocluster Finland launch / JTF
Applicant: City of Haapavesi
Execution period: From 01/10/2023 to 31/08/2025
Total cost estimate: € 294 804
ERDF and State funding requested: €235 843
The aim of the project is to start Biocluster Finland's operations on the basis of a cluster strategy. The aim is to strengthen the ties between the bio-sector operators in the region and the development activities taking place in Finland and, in particular, with the industry's networks. At the same time, the project promotes regional cluster cooperation in the EU, conveys information on the green transition and increases RDI development for companies through network cooperation. The aim of the activities is to activate new green business, increase resource wisdom, reduce emissions and promote the preservation of biodiversity.
VAU!START+/JT
Applicant: Nivala-Haapajärvi region NIHAK ry
Sub-applicants: Joint Municipal Authority for River Valley Education, City of Ylivieska, City of Kalajoki, Joint Municipal Authority for Haapavesi-Siikalatva Region
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2025
Total cost estimate: €1 234 317
ERDF and State funding requested: € 987 454
The common goal of the business service organisations in the southern part of Northern Ostrobothnia is to launch incubator and accelerator services throughout the operating area. The project utilises close cooperation with the region's upper secondary education organisations so that start-up entrepreneurs who have started with entirely new innovations and business ideas receive targeted support to advance them all the way to the international market.
Growth through wood processing to Northeastern Finland (PUUKKO) / JTF
Applicant: Northeast Finland Development Company Naturpolis Oy
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 30.6.2025
Total cost: € 270 639
Aid requested: €216 511
The aim of the project is to produce information through various surveys and surveys to support business investments that increase the local and regional further processing of wood; enable companies and investors to be informed about the potential of wood processing activities in the region, as well as the potential for business growth; to initiate cooperation between the region's sawn timber producer(s) and smaller SMEs, and to identify new technological opportunities for the region to develop the design and manufacturing process of companies' products and services.
Sustainable Dark Partnerships / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Execution period: 1.2.2024 – 31.12.2026
Total cost estimate: € 411 164
ERDF and State funding requested: €328 930
The aim of the project is to study and develop ways of designing and implementing to create good and safe experiences in environments of darkness and obscurity; develop different models of engagement and cooperation in lighting design and implementation processes and assess them from the perspectives of environmental, social and economic sustainability and the quality of the environment in the dark ages; pilot the development of permanent development areas or temporary objects related to light events into positive dark places, combined with highlighting the identity and stories of the area through light art and experiential, low-light lighting; build ecosystems that support the region's vitality, business and employment through the planning and implementation processes of pilot sites, as well as increase awareness and expertise in the urban and municipal organisations of Northern Ostrobothnia in the planning, commissioning and implementation of high-quality and sustainable urban lighting and urban dark, and develop assessment methods that take into account different levels of sustainability.
Agile technologies for the development of innovative bio-applications – investment strand / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Execution period: 1.1.2024 – 31.12.2025
Total cost estimate:1 819 083 €
ERDF and State funding requested: €1 273 358
The project promotes research and product development in the region by providing state-of-the-art research platforms and expertise in live cell analytics. The measures of the investment project include the acquisition of equipment suitable for the analysis of living cells for the translational cell biology core service unit of the University of Oulu, as well as the installation, testing, maintenance and upgrade of the equipment. Devices for the analysis of living cells provide versatile information on the properties of human and animal cells, bacteria and microparticles. Equipment procurement includes the refurbishment of high-performance analysis equipment for living cells.
Thermal battery – industrial side streams as heat storage material for electricity / JTF group project
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Execution period: 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2026
Total cost estimate: 449 990 €
ERDF and State funding requested: 359 990 €
The project will develop a high-efficiency, cost-effective, easily replicable storage technology based on the use of low-cost industrial by-product materials for the storage of sustainable electricity that can be scaled from an individual application to a district heating network.
JTF - Hydrogen society special steels and advanced steel applications / JTF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Implementation period:1.9.2023-31.12.2025
Total cost estimate: € 78 681
ERDF and State funding requested: € 542 944
The transition towards a hydrogen society is challenging due to the lack of hydrogen-resistant materials, the lack of development of design tools and the lack of up-to-date standardisation. The project responds to this need and thus enables the development of different applications for future needs. The project will provide companies with the necessary information on the topic in order to develop new business in the area.
Energy-efficient sector integration of district heating and water supply system in promoting the green transition of cities (KAVENERO) / ERDF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Execution period: 1 March 2024 – 28 February 2026
Total cost estimate: € 364 084
ERDF and State funding requested: € 291 267
The project focuses on the development of a new type of integration of the district heating and water supply sectors in cities in terms of energy efficiency and environmental aspects, which are simultaneously reducing fuel consumption in district heating production and increasing the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment and sludge treatment. The aim is to produce new information on the energy efficiency and environmental impacts and optimal implementation of the combination of district heating and water supply systems.
Hydrogen reduction of domestic ores / JTF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 30.6.2026
Total cost estimate: € 578 581
ERDF and State funding requested: € 462 864
The project combines vanadium and hydrogen. The project will research, test and develop a further processing process based on sustainable electricity and green hydrogen for iron ores with varying titanium content. The aim is to develop an environmentally sustainable production method that enables an economically viable mining and downstream business. The project will create new, universal expertise in the further processing of vanadium iron ores with varying titanium content based on sustainable energy use. The new know-how enables the processing of low-carbon iron and vanadium from various vanadium-containing iron ores. The project will test concentrates with both high and low titanium content. The project creates conditions for the extraction and enrichment of ores with varying titanium and vanadium content, as well as for the further processing of ore concentrates.
Solar Hydrogen Unit as part of a large-scale energy production, consumption and storage system / JTF Group Project
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicant: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Execution period: From 1.1.2024 to 31.12.2025
Total cost estimate: € 731 797
ERDF and State funding requested: € 585 435
The aim is to study and develop the production, storage and use of hydrogen in combined heat and power (CHP) production by integrating the hydrogen system components into a smart electricity and heat network, the operation of which can be adapted, adjusted and optimised in accordance with the changing needs of the operating environment. This will improve the flexibility and security of supply of new energy systems. The aim is the implementation, modelling and testing of hydrogen production, use and storage units, as well as the creation of digital twins of units.
BIOTUTO - Collaboration to boost recycled nutrients and local bioenergy production / JTF
Applicant: University of Oulu
Sub-applicants: Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd, Nivala-Haapajärvi Region NIHAK ry, Jokilaaksot Joint Municipal Authority for Education
Execution period: 1 February 2024 – 31 March 2026
Total cost estimate: 994 876 €
ERDF and State funding requested: 796 194 €
The aim is to promote new business opportunities for the processing, sourcing and use of biomass in rural areas. The project examines the value chains from the field to the end users of bioenergy processed through bioterminals, the roles and earnings logic of different actors, and factors affecting the profitability of operations. The case area of the project is the Nivala-Haapajärvi region, where several biogas plants are planned.
UUPO project, Renewable energy training paths / JTF
Applicant: Centria University of Applied Sciences Ltd
Execution period: 2.1.2024 – 31.12.2026
Co-implementers: University of Oulu, River Valley Joint Municipal Authority for Education
Total cost: 934 173 €
Aid requested: 747 267 €
The project plans and pilots a flexible renewable energy training path for North Ostrobothnia, with the themes of producing energy using biogas, solar energy and wind power, as well as utilizing hydrogen storage and acoustics in energy storage. In addition, the training path includes pilots of additional training for entrepreneurs, providing information on new entrepreneurial opportunities to replace the peat sector.
Waste guarantees through further processing - JÄMÄ project / JTF
Applicants: Municipality of Siikalatva, University of Oulu
Execution period: From 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2025
Total cost estimate: €249 415
ERDF and State funding requested: €199 533
In terms of waste fractions, the project will map the composition of raw materials, opportunities for local further processing, as well as related investments and business opportunities. The project will pilot the suitability of these waste fractions for different types of reuse. The project will identify potential partnerships and networks in the circular economy that have the resources to receive and further refine these waste fractions locally in the Siikalatva and Northern Ostrobothnia regions.
The Secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group did not support the following project to be funded under the EU Regional and Structural Policy Programme Renewable and Skilled Finland 2021-2027:
- PLC-Automation Oy premises, applicant PLC-Automation Oy. It is proposed to MYR that the project will not be funded.
- Smart technology for KAO Kuusamo learning environments, applicant City of Kajaani.
- Smart technology know-how for companies in the northeast, applicant City of Kajaani.
- Strength for the green transition – strength for change, applicant Oulu University of Applied Sciences Ltd, co-implementer University of Turku. MYR is asked to give a negative opinion on the project.
- Living cancer biobank of Northern Finland, applicant University of Oulu.
- Crowberries help with the oral side effects of cancer treatments, applicant University of Oulu.
In addition, the following issues were addressed:
- In the 2021-2027 programming period, business subsidies granted by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Northern Ostrobothnia were presented in Northern Ostrobothnia.
- The topical issues of the EU's EAFRD were reviewed.
- The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has allocated EUR 125 000 in AKKE funding to the Regional Council of North Ostrobothnia to finance the local abrupt structural change in Pyhä. A PÄRM situation refers to a sudden (unforeseen) situation that does not meet the criteria for abrupt structural change (ÄRM) but causes a local crisis for the economy, employment and the labour market. The municipality's application concerns the bankruptcy of Jukkatalot Oy and its consequential effects on the employment situation and the economic structure of Pyhäntä and its neighbouring municipalities. The objective of the measures implemented with the funding is to promote new businesses and businesses.
Next meeting
The next meeting of the secretariat of the Provincial Cooperation Group will be held on 27 February 2024.
